Four NHL teams that could use Sean Avery

After being exiled to Connecticut of the AHL by New York Rangers coach John Tortorella, Sean Avery has been mostly quiet.

Until yesterday.

Avery, still listed as day-to-day with a shoulder injury, skated with his new AHL teammates on Wednesday and when asked by reporters from ESPN NY if he thought he’d be recalled to the Rangers/NHL this season, he thought it wasn’t likely.

“Probably not,” Avery said ESPNNewYork.com. “I doubt it.”

Sean Avery is no stranger to making headlines. ( Bruce Bennet,AP)

When asked if he wasn’t given a fair chance of making the team, the feisty winger wasn’t too optimistic.

Avery turned down lucrative offers to play overseas and appears to be in the AHL unless he is recalled by the Rangers and a coach who has never been an Avery fan, or another team picks him up, the NHL may be a less exciting place without Avery, as discussed in a previous “>post

Avery isn’t a popular player around the league for his agressive nature and ability to pester and get under the skin of the opposition. He still has the skill set to play in the NHL and could help a team come playoff time. Here is a look at four teams that could use Avery:

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings are expected to challenge for the top spot in the Western Conference and could be an early candidate as a Cup contender. The Kings are stacked up front and have defensive depth, but Avery on wing would be an upgrade from tough guy Kevin Westgarth. While Westgarth is bigger, Avery has a better set of hands and is also willing to fight. When the playoffs come, tough guys are utilized even less. Avery also played for the Kings before being traded to New York.

Montreal Canadiens

The skilled Canadiens could use some grit, as they have been pushed around the past few playoffs by bigger, tougher teams. Having Avery around would help curb some of that.

Colorado Avalanche

The young Avs have impressed and surprised the league out of the gate. They are off to a fast start, and many predict will likely cool off and come back down to earth. While the team is fun to watch, having someone like Avery to watch the backs of Matt Duchene and 2011 first-round darft pick Gabriel Landeskog could pay dividends. Also, Avery has decent enough hands to play on a line with Colorado’s skilled players.

New York Rangers

The Rangers looked a little flat and lethargic in their opening games in Europe. The first game back in North America, they dropped a decision to the rival Islanders. Rivalry games are the games you need a Sean Avery in the line up, just ask Martin Brodeur.

The last time Avery wasn’t a Ranger when he went as a free agent to sign with the Dallas Stars, it didn’t take long for general manager Glen Sather to bring him back in blue where he belongs and is beloved by the faithful at Madison Square Garden.